no related experience, just CEU's

T.H.R.N. · May 13, 2011

Hello teleRN08,

I say add them in your resume. I am not sure which state you are in but you might check with your regions service center and get your certifications in hearing/vision/and scoliosis screenings. I am in Texas and we have to have all three. Some states do not require the scoliosis any more. I am sure you have your CPR up to date also. Our service center also offers a couple of classes in school nursing, laws, the computer program our district uses, etc. There is also the school nursing certification test. They only offer that a couple of times a year though.

Good luck.

Holler if you have anymore questions.

teleRN08 · May 13, 2011

I'm in Mass.. However our state does not allow school nurse certification until you are a school nurse lol.. as for the vision/hearing certification, i am not sure, I will have to look into that.. Thanks

teleRN08 · May 13, 2011

I found an online vision and hearing certification for my state.. Thanks so much for suggesting that. I think that will definitely help my resume even more so than the CEU lessions.

T.H.R.N. · May 13, 2011

That is great. I'm glad it helped.

Keep us posted.

Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN · May 13, 2011

Several of our local hospitals offer courses for school nurses, and also the local nursing school has continuing education classes geared toward school nursing. Couldn't hurt to ask - they have names like "School Nurse Update" etc.

And get in touch with your state school nurse organization - they can give you a run down on what classes are out there.

bergren · May 14, 2011

You could include a sheet with all the CE you have taken that would in any way benefit the school, children, public health. I would also mention it in the cover letter too and say that you have been preparing for such a position.

The National Association of School Nurses offers free and low cost online CE for school nurses. In some cases, due to grant funding, the offering is free for both members and non members. http://www.nasn.org

If this job does not pan out, I would also suggest attending your state or regional school nurse conference in the fall. Some states also offer school nurse orientation programs in August or September. One of my school nurse jobs I found out about and was interviewed at a state orientation and started working in the district 2 weeks later. Check this link for your state's affiliate association: http://www.nasn.org/Default.aspx?tabid=60

The National Conference is in DC this year:

http://www.nasn.org/Default.aspx?tabid=109

Good luck!!

teleRN08 · May 14, 2011

thanks so much. great advice. i wasn't sure if i should include them on the resume or attach a separate sheet with related continuing education classes. i'm still back and forth about which i should do. i just don't feel like it necessarily belongs on my resume.. but i will definitely discuss say something in the cover letter about my preparation. what do you think resume or separate sheet?

bergren · May 14, 2011

If it was me, I'd use a separate sheet. If you get a certificate at the end of the training, I'd put on resume. CPR certification etc, I would put in the resume. But CE only for CE units, I would put on a separate sheet, include all pertinent CE. If there is only this class, you might include the flyer or syllabus for the class instead.

I don't think you can go wrong. I think the extra information about how you have prepared would help you and would help them decide on you as the candidate.